EXHIBITIONS | RECOMMENDED
LONDON, BIRMINGHAM, MANCHESTER
This March, art institutions up and down the UK seem to have a flair for the historical, and we're more than happy to come along for the ride. We dive into four exhibitions looking back to the Mughals, the early days of painting and some of the great masters to get some inspiration and insight into artists of the past and the contemporary artists of the collective.
9 NOVEMBER -- 4 MAY
THE GREAT MUGHALS: ART, ARCHITECTURE AND OPULENCE - V&A, LONDON
It can be easy when thinking about Art in a historical context to focus on the Western tradition and become entrenched in oil painting and Christianity and neglect other parts of the world, other styles and mediums. To do this is, at best, fundamentally a shame, there are great artistic wonders to be found in all parts of world history. With that in mind, this month, we're highlighting an exhibition exploring the Indian subcontinent, a show of not just art but literally an entire dynasty of creativity.
This is the Great Mughals. A golden age of extraordinary creative output is explored through artefacts, objects, and artworks made during the reigns of the Mughal Empire's most famous emperors: Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. This era is epitomised by detail, be it in the paintings and illustrated manuscripts, carpets, textiles, architecture, jugs and vases or swords. All of which are on show here.
Inlaid jewels, golden features, and elaborate patterns can be found everywhere alongside narratives that span religions, mythologies and empires. This exhibition allows visitors to immerse themselves in the colour of this different world and explore the internationalist culture of the Mughal empire through its art. It's one to see if you like your artwork with a dramatic flare and overflowing with history.
I will take a moment here to recommend "Empire", an excellent podcast from William Dalrymple and Anita Anand, to anyone interested in this period and the context of all this creativity, it makes for a great listening partner to the exhibition.
Find out more and buy tickets below
7 FEBRUARY -- 2 NOVEMBER
TURNER IN LIGHT AND SHADE - THE WHITWORTH, MANCHESTER
"Looking at 70 sepia-toned prints may not sound that electric but it is"
This quote from a glowing, excitable review of this show from Jonathan Jones perhaps sums up all you need to know about an artist as recognised, much loved, and unlikely to show new work on account of being very dead - as Turner.
This show won't necessarily tell you anything you didn't know about the artist's style, or gain any more insight into his inspiration, but it may introduce you to an often overlooked side to Turner's practice, and may even still as Jonathan says, provide enough electricity to blow your mind.
Apparently, Turner is Britain's favourite painter, so I will assume that anyone reading this has at least encountered one or two and can conjure up an image when thinking of his work. I would put money on that image being a vast sweeping sky or menacing sea, the sublime and the industrial in potent oils. I would also wager that only the more knowledgable - the true fangirls - are picturing, or even aware of, the series of landscape prints on show at the Whitworth.
Last presented at the Whitworth over 100 years ago, Turner in Light and Shade presents all 71 of Turner's published prints, the ''Liber Studiorum' or 'Book of Studies' created and published from 1807-19 at the height of his fame. These prints, coming directly from Turner's studio, demonstrate his signature atmosphere and elegance reimagined in mezzotint as line, tone and space to devastatingly beautiful effect. They are shown paired with a series of watercolours and other works, inviting visitors to explore Turner's legacy and the significance of his prints.
Love Turner? Love printmaking? A profound take on the landscape? All of the above? This show is for you.
On the link, read the mentioned Guardian Article for more information and a look at some of the pieces. No need for tickets, The Whitworth is one of those magical places of art which gives free access to wonderful work to everyone!
6 MARCH -- 1 JUNE
REMBRANDT: MASTERPIECES IN BLACK AND WHITE - BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY, BIRMINGHAM
Still diving into our theme of history and its masters and again exploring the wonderful world of printmaking, this exhibition showcases yet another very well-known artist but for his lesser-known works. No surprises if you've read the title, this month the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery presents the works of Renowned painter and printmaker the 17th Century Dutch Master, Rembrandt.
On tour from the Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam, the exhibition demonstrates his evolution not as the painter we all definitely recognise but as a printmaker that we may not, through depictions of landscapes and the natural world and self-portraits he made throughout his life.
Rembrandt was an innovative printmaker, creating over 300 etchings and drypoints in his career, the practice running parallel to his painting. He was known to experiment with the medium, handling traditional materials in unconventional ways, and his impact is still reflected in etchings produced today.
This is perhaps the thinking behind Birmingham's own collection of Rembrandt etchings being shown alongside 20th-century prints from two leading artists from the Midlands, each capturing themes of the rural and industrial landscape, much like the master himself.
Expect to see the full breadth of what etching can attain; from dynamic sketch-like captured street moments and highly detailed religious illuminations to loose, spacious, contemporary-feeling landscapes.
8 MARCH -- 22 JUNE
SIENA: THE RISE OF PAINTING - THE NATIONAL GALLERY, LONDON
We finish up our blast to the past with another big exhibition for the marking of the National's 200th anniversary, Siena: The Rise of Painting. Opening this month, it looks set to be grand in every sense. Bringing together over 100 works, many of which have been dispersed around the world for centuries, including pieces which were once part of ensembles and were, at the time, some of the most innovative in Western painting. The collection comes from both the National and The Met, and the show aims to highlight 14th-century Siena, its profound influence on a generation of painting at the dawn of the Italian Renaissance and its defining of Western painting tradition. So, lowkey moment, keeping it casual National.
You can expect gold. Lots of gold. Beautiful, deeply patterned and detailed panels and a plethora of religious iconography. Think images of beautiful people, sincere emotion, ample narratives and drama. And then remember this work is from the 14th century(!); it was all new at the time, and these are the painters who did it first.
Remarkable developments during this period sparked huge changes and marked the central role of Siena, stealing some of the limelight from its neighbouring Florence. In this exhibition, these radical, pivotal changes are explored through the works of four outstanding artists of the time: Duccio, Simone Martini and brothers Pietro and Ambrogio Lorenzetti. Works by these painters were characterised by supreme technical skill, a depth of emotional power and daring innovation. These artists pioneered radical experimentation, large multi-tiered altarpieces and personal devotional works.
This exhibition traces the impact of this, Siena's golden moment, as it dispersed out into the world to Bohemia, France and to England.
That's our recommended exhibitions for this March, but we'd love to hear your thoughts, so drop us a message if you see any of the shows, and let us know what you think. Or tell us about something you recommend - we always love to share!
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